Fall Festival 2008

Sunday night our church held our Fall Festival. It is a well attended function. Over the past few years about 5000 people have come out to enjoy this event. This year I am not sure the numbers were as high. Several reasons maybe other churches in the area are getting in on this trend. Which is great because many more people get to hear the Gospel and enjoy some great, safe family time. And this year I am happy to say that our church heard the call and made it a free event. Well, almost free. Price of admissions one bag of candy and a non perishable food item for Thanksgiving Baskets.

So, knowing Shoshannah and how much stuff she could handle we kept the costume simple. The girls and I did this about 1 hour before the event. Of course by the time we to to church which is only 25 minutes away all the make up was off and we had to reapply. And within 1 hour it was off again. Oh well, at least I got a couple of pictures.

We have trunk or treating and the people who do this really get into this. Once again I don't have good pictures. My photographer (Arielle) was serving in the Chuck Wagon.

Shoshannah wasn't sure about walking up to people and holding out her bag. However, when she figured out that they were putting in candy, well she turned PRO. We only did part of that then moved onto the carnival type games. She played a few , then off to the pony rides. We were not sure how she would respond but she went right up and took a ride and loved it:)
Danielle got to ride also which is great as she was to old to get candy and play the games.

We then went inside for chili and hot dogs, praise music, fellowship with friends and then home. It was a great night.

Here are a few pictures.

The Box has Arrived

Shoshannah has been boo'd. Anna Grace thank you for all the wonderful things you included in the box. Shoshannah was so thrilled to get a package. Before she knew who sent it I just told her she had a package. She said"OH thank you, Mommy,a package for me"

Then she got to open it and the pictures will show you how excited she was. Everything was perfect.

Anna Grace is a great shopper and she knew just the things Shoshannah would like. The Microphone is a big hit. We were just talking about getting one for her. Then Minnie Mouse coloring book, well Mickey Mouse Playhouse is her favorite show. Barrettes for her hair always a good thing as we are always misplacing them. Bubble Bath, socks, markers, and of course M&M's can't go wrong there!

So now the shopping begins...Who is next?...Stay Tuned....

Rossettee, thank you for starting this tradition for the girls.

Gotta Love'em

Today we were talking about taking showers and baths. Shoshannah loves to take her bath. Well, she said when I get old I am going to jump in the shower. After repeating this a couple of times, I asked her"Shoshannah how old is old?" She said "You" She said it so sweetly and truthfully. So I am now off to wash that grey right out of my hair. Then off to the store to find the best wrinkle cream I can buy!:)

It's a Small, Small World

This past weekend we headed South to visit family. Leaving at 5:37am Friday morning we headed to Swainsboro, GA to visit my parents. We arrived there about 5:00pm. It was a long trip, but Saturday was filled with nothing to do but sit around so we rested. Then Sunday morning we left and traveled 2 hours North to visit with Craig's Mom. A couple hours there then we went to lunch at Krystal's. Why don't they have this fast food place this far north? Then onto Columbia SC to see Ellis and Gina. We spent some time with them and then went onto the hotel to sleep. Leaving Columbia at 8am Monday morning we headed on home. It was as whirlwind trip but nice to see all the family we could.

On the way home we knew we had to be on the lookout for Chick fil A for lunch around 11ish. Somewhere in NC we saw a sign and went hunting, after driving off the interstate for miles and no sign of the Chick fil A we headed back to I 95 and continued on. By then I am just thinking find something. So I said let's do the next Wendy's we see. In a few minutes we spot the exit and take it only to find the Wendy's connected to a Truck stop. A no go, so back to the interstate.

Just a few more exists and WOW a Chick Fil A in Dortches NC. We take the exist and see the sign that says it is 4.1 miles down the road. You know when you are in a hurry to get home and still have hours to go you just want things to be quick. Well, we made the decision to find this Chick Fil A and we did. After driving for a couple of miles we found this really nice Chick Fil A and went inside. Now I have to say this was the best Chick Fil A. It was lunch rush, the manager started taking orders, he delivered our food to our table. In a few minutes an employee came by and gave us mints, another employee came by to see if we needed any refills. The service was exceptional. We are sitting there eating and over the high counter a lady stopped and asked how old Shoshannah was and asked what her name was. Then the questions (my mind was wondering was this some small town lady who had never seen a Chinese little girl and was wondering what her next question or comment was going to be) Then she said her granddaughter was 3 also and she was meeting her for lunch. Then she also said that her daughter was going to be excited. So I asked" Is your granddaughter adopted?" Yes, was her reply, from China. In walks her daughter and granddaughter and she calls them over. She introduced the little one as Lily. Shoshannah and Lily began to talk and the adults carried on our own conversation. It went something like this.. Where is Shoshannah from- Chongqing_ SO is Lily! What orphanage? Chongqing City. Where is Lily from Dianjiang which is near the Shicuan Province, but they stayed in Chongqing. How long has she been home> 2 years. US too! They flew home September 15 2006, we got home September 24, 2006. Shoshannah's birthdate August 4, 2005, Lily was born in July 2005. Lily's other grandmother lives on the Eastern Shore and they pass through Chesapeake on their way there. So, I gave them our address and phone number,they said they would call the next time they were traveling through. Lily and Shoshannah wanted to play,but our time was limited so off we went.

Craig and I got back in the van. Both kinda quiet thinking about what God had just done. Then we begin to talk. We don't believe in coincidences. We believe God orchestrated that meeting. And we are so thrilled. We hope to visit with this family again.

Have I ever mentioned that Shoshannah means "Rose"? There is a wonderful story behind that. Well, another way to spell Shoshannah is to leave the last h off. If you do it means Lily:)

The Young Man Loves His Mom

I picked Andrew up from work last week and once he gets in the van he pulls out this lovely Begonia Flower. Oh my heart just took off and flew.

Andrew was never a cuddly baby, he never liked to be held and loved on. As he grew older he would avoid hugs and kisses for as long as he could. Many times "I love you Andrew" met with silence. Those days were very hard for me.

So, I just kept on loving him, hugging on him even when he didn't hug back, Praying for him and just being Mom.

Then, several years ago, the Lord began to do a work in Andrew's life. (actually, God had been working before it just wasn't obvious). We saw Andrew begin to take the faith of us and make it his own. He began to read his Bible because he wanted to not because we made him, He began asking the hard questions about what it means to be a follower of Christ. When all these inward changes began to take place the outward results were amazing to watch.

Andrew began to show love towards his sisters by putting them first and spending time with them. He began to "talk" more. He shared his faith and the things he was learning. He became passionate about what he believed about our Jesus. He responded to hugs and the words" I love you" became easier for him to say and he meant them.

When I reflect on Andrew's journey ...from little boy to young man. I stand amazed.. Amazed at this awesome young man who is going to change the world for his Lord, a young man who will be a great husband and father one day, a loyal friend, a young man who loves his family. Andrew is fun and makes us laugh. And I am proud that he is my son. I look forward to Andrew's future:)

I also stand amazed at the faithfulness of God. He stood right there with us through raising Andrew. He gave us this wonderful young man to raise as a warrior for Him. And His Words have rang true.

"Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not conceal them from their children, But tell to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, And His strength and His wondrous works that He has done. For He established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, Which He commanded our fathers, That they should teach them to their children, That the generation to come might know, even the children yet to be born, That they may arise and tell them to their children, That they should put their confidence in God and not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments." Psalm 78:3-7

"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth and making it bear and sprout and furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the mater for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:10-11

So while the flower continues through its life cycles in my kitchen window, each time I look at it I will be reminded of the sweet young man who in his own special way said" I love you, Mom" and made my heart glad.